Bharat Taxi: Cooperative Ride-Hailing Platform Launched
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Economy
Why in news
The Ministry of Cooperation informed Lok Sabha about the progress of Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-based ride-hailing platform. It is currently operational in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat cities, with over 7.76 lakh drivers and 40.84 lakh customers registered. The platform aims to provide a transparent, driver-owned mobility service under the cooperative model.
Background
Bharat Taxi is operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited under the Ministry of Cooperation. It was launched to offer an alternative to private ride-hailing platforms, emphasizing driver ownership and transparency. The platform includes Sarathi (driver) app, passenger app, and backend management system.
Key facts
Bharat Taxi is a cooperative-based ride-hailing platform operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited.
It is a driver-owned mobility service aiming for transparency.
Platform components: Sarathi (driver) app, passenger app, and backend management system.
Currently operational in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat cities.
Registered: 7.76 lakh drivers (Sarathi) and 40.84 lakh customers.
Expansion to other cities/states depends on operational readiness, driver availability, statutory approvals, and coordination with state governments.
Before launch in any state, Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited consults with transport departments, urban local bodies, and cooperation departments.
Driver onboarding and public awareness campaigns are conducted before service launch in a city.
Bharat Taxi maintains active presence on major social media platforms for awareness.
Information was given by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
Prelims pointers
- Bharat Taxi: cooperative-based ride-hailing platform
- Operated by: Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited
- Ministry: Ministry of Cooperation
- Current operations: Delhi-NCR and Gujarat
- Registered drivers: 7.76 lakh (Sarathi)
- Registered customers: 40.84 lakh
- Platform includes: Sarathi app, passenger app, backend management system
Mains angles
- Role of cooperatives in digital economy and mobility sector
- Government initiatives to promote cooperative model as alternative to private platforms
- Challenges in scaling cooperative-based services across states
- Comparison with private ride-hailing platforms: transparency, driver welfare, pricing